On the afternoon of August 4th, a week before the protests began, students at the University of Virginia received an email from university president Teresa Sullivan informing them of an event called "Unite the Right" that would be taking place in Charlottesville. It was predicted to have the potential to be the largest collective gathering of white supremacists, Alt-Right leaders, and neo-Nazis in over a decade.

“Although the groups represent a variety of ideologies and agendas,” wrote president Sullivan, “many of them express beliefs that directly contradict our community’s values of diversity, inclusion and mutual respect.”

“We also support the First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly,” she continued. “These rights belong to the ‘Unite the Right’ activists who will express their beliefs, and to the many others that disagree with them.”

On the night of Friday, August 11th, white nationalists marched through University grounds, chanting and carrying torches. The next day, all eyes were on Charlottesville as fighting broke out between white nationalists and counterprotesters, and Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency for the city. By the end of the day, one person had been killed and 19 injured in a vicious act of domestic terrorism when 20-year-old James Alex Fields mowed down a crowd of anti-racists with a car.

While Charlottesville residents and students on UVA’s grounds for the summer reeled from the attacks, incoming and returning students followed the news from a distance. Many shared their views on social media, expressing a mixture of shock, fear, helplessness, and disappointment, as well as frustration with the way that President Trump’s initial response seemed to blame both sides.

We touched base with some students who are returning to UVA’s Grounds this week, as well as some who are moving in for the first time, to hear their thoughts on what life would be like in the aftermath of these events.

Aiden Carroll, Class of 2020“Although I wasn't at the scene itself, the overall feeling of UVA and Charlottesville this weekend was unmistakably one of sobriety and reflection. It felt as if you walked down Main Street from Grounds, you were stepping back in time. This event has definitely highlighted the inequality/bigotry that has seemingly lain dormant for years, but has really just been hidden from view. I think what this means for UVA, though, is that this upcoming year will be one with an all-new, student-driven focus on truly getting to the bottom of where inequality stems from, how to recognize it, and how to put an end to it at every level. I'm excited to stand with all my friends at the beginning of this year and sing the "Good Ol' Song" — I know that I'm going to feel surrounded by nothing but love once everyone is back on Grounds.”

Marisa Dinko, Class of 2021“As an out-of-state student, hearing from a friend that the KKK was marching across Grounds as it was already happening, and that by the end of the weekend people had died, I got so angry. I watched these videos and saw images of people — living, breathing human beings being beaten to the ground and run over by a car. I was so mad. How dare these hate groups come to my campus and to my future home when I am not even there. I felt helpless; as a UVA student hundreds of miles away from the chaos, I felt like my hands were tied and all I could do was watch. The truth of the matter is, the KKK, alt-right, and neo-Nazis have spoken up. They've induced fear and stripped away hope from people across the nation. Now we, as UVA students and as fellow human beings, must make our voices heard in order to restore the hope that was lost and fight back so love can win.”

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Edem Akwayena, Class of 2018“UVA is a microcosm of America. It was designed by a white supremacist for white supremacists. Charlottesville is now a very progressive town but has become the target for white supremacist groups who want to ‘preserve’ their history. As students of color we walk by the serpentine walls built by slaves, we sit in the gardens that were inhabited by slaves, we see Old Cabell hall which was built to block out a freed Black community. Nevertheless, I have made UVA a home for me. I have found close friends from diverse backgrounds, my upbringing and outlook has been challenged, and I am on track to graduate with an chemical engineering degree. My favorite part about attending this university is getting to give historical tours to visitors from all over the world and expose the hidden history of our school. I think the only way we can press forward is to face the evils of our history and assess how they have infiltrated our everyday existence in hopes of eradicating past injustices.”

Madison Old, Class of 2021“I originally was really concerned, but then I posted in the Class of 2021 Facebook group about possibly organizing a student event and the response and passion behind everyone that responded has made me so proud and blessed to be moving into this community. I think that what happened was horrible, but I'm really proud of how the community is handling it and responding.”

Karishma Srikanth, Class of 2021“You never really think it's going to be your town or your home when things like this happen. The events in Charlottesville shook me to my core not only as an incoming first year, but also as a woman of color and a Virginian. I think it is safe to say that there is a level of uncertainty and ambiguity on Grounds due to the hatred we witnessed in and around Charlottesville, and with only a week before first years are moving in, there is an understandable level of fear alongside it. It's a conundrum that I struggled with greatly in terms of not allowing the hate to breed fear throughput the community. But there is always a silver lining and there is always light to be found in the hate. At a time where all eyes are on Charlottesville, I am so fortunate to know that I will be attending an institution that promotes compassion and unity in the midst of all this hatred.”

Michelle Whitlock, Class of 2021“I felt the normal apprehension about moving in that all college Freshmen feel before they move in. The events of this past weekend sickened and disgusted me. I felt helpless to do anything. I honestly did not want to move in anymore. However, seeing the unified response from UVA and my fellow students against hatred and bigotry invigorated me and reminded me that I am going to college with some of the most passionate and intelligent people I could ever hope to meet. I know that we will come together as a University and demonstrate that we are welcoming and inclusive to the world.”

Rachael Tomlinson, Class of 2021“First, I was terrified. I’m going to be living here, nine hours away from home, on my own. How could I know that these neo-Nazis wouldn’t come marching right past my dorm? Then, I got angry. I called my mom, my friends, and started firing off angry tweets. No one was going to mess with my school and my future home. Eventually, I started seeing the outpouring of love and light from the world into Charlottesville. And I realized that despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, UVA was going to be a safe place for me. I deleted those angry tweets and focused on contributing what I can to the wonderful city of Charlottesville. I hate racism, not racists, and I’m responsible for fighting the dark things of this world with love and hope. I’m no longer afraid to move in, because I know that the 16,000+ students here are united in a community stronger than anyone could have ever imagined. I’m so proud to call UVA my home.”

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Andria Li, Class of 2020“It was horrifying to watch these white supremacist groups descend on my hometown and turn it into a symbol of hatred and fear. We must acknowledge the history of racism and bigotry in this town, school, and country, because our society cannot afford to think that racism doesn’t exist anymore. It does, and that is not okay. In light of this wake-up call, it is now more important than ever to show that hate has no place here or anywhere else in the United States. It has been encouraging to see so many people unite to prove that Charlottesville and UVA is a place of acceptance and love, which is why I’m excited, not afraid, to move back and be on Grounds again.”